Ronda Rousey is arguably one of the most talked about athletes recently and for good reason, because she is a total badass. Despite having lost her very first UFC fight over the weekend, there are still plenty of reasons to love this powerful woman. ​

1. She's a decorated athlete.It would probably take us forever to list and discuss every single accomplishment Rousey has ever had. To make it more simple, here's a rundown of her most significant wins:

Up until November 15, 2015, she held a 12-0 Mixed Martial Arts record.

She was the first female Ultimate Fighting Championship Champion, having defended her Women's Bantamweight title for 6 consecutive times.

She won Bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, being the first American woman to win an Olympic medal for Judo.

She has multiple medals from the International Judo Federation from 2001 to 2008, and from USA Judo from 2002 to 2010.

For three straight years (2012-2014), she won Female Fighter of the Year at the World MMA Awards.

At the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards, she has Best Female Athlete for 2014 and 2015, Best Fighter for 2015, and the first Mixed Martial Artist to win an ESPY award.

2. She's tenacious. Ever since childhood, Rousey has been training all her life. She started fighting at 11, and has not stopped since. In a magazine interview, she said that her ultimate motivation is training for success. She cited her mother, a Judo medalist like herself, as her mentor, teaching her and her sisters about a value which she stands by to this day--that in order to achieve what you want most, you'll have to give up what you want now.

She has also recounted in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live of a time she got severely injured in a fight and still won. It was a judo match, and her opponent had dislocated her shoulder twice. She popped her shoulder back in its place herself, and with 20 seconds left to spare, she came up on top--winning the fight. ​

3. She's not a "do-nothing bitch."There are some girls who just sit around looking pretty while waiting for someone else to take care of her. Rousey is not one of these girls. Again, she thanks her mother for raising her to be who she is now, she is empowered and she is confident in her own body and abilities. People have said to her that her body is too masculine, but she thinks that her body is "femininely badass," and that "there isn't a single muscle in my body that isn't developed for a purpose." Her drive and her confidence has made her an influential role model for today's youth.

4. She isn't afraid to speak her mind.During this year's ESPY Awards, Rousey famously dissed boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, who previously owned the title of Best Fighter. In a red carpet interview after her win, she said, "I wonder how Floyd feels being beat by a woman for once. I’d like to see you pretend to not know who I am now.” The first part of the quote was a shot at Mayweather's history of domestic abuse and the second part was in reference to Mayweather dissing her a year previous when he was asked about Rousey and he said that he didn't even know who he--yes, he, not she--was.

Aside from the Mayweather debacle, she's known for trash-talking her opponents, and because of that, she gets some flak for being too cocky. Her response? "How dare you assume I should think less of myself?"​ Her confidence is so unstoppable, it's inspiring.

5. She sticks to her word. She's not an "all bark, no bite" kind of person at all. Yes, she talks trash, but she actually follows through. Dana White, UFC President, once publicly said that a woman would never fight in his league. After hearing this, she confronted him at an event and proclaimed that she would be the first female UFC Champion. And because of her tenacity and skill, she was. ​

6. She can do more than just fighting. This year, she published her autobiography My Fight/Your Fight which has inspired readers everywhere. In addition to that, she was cast as herself in a biopic based on the same book. She has also done some appearances in films like The Expendables 3, Furious 7, and Entourage, and she has scored a lead role in a reboot of Road House. ​

7. She's courageous.People assume that because of her profession and consequently her reputation, Rousey is fearless. But she dismissed that claim, saying that she is always afraid, and she wasn't afraid to admit that. But, it's her fear that gives her courage. She profoundly said that, "I'm a courageous person because I'm a scared person." She also has a mantra taught to her by her mother that she takes with her to the ring during fights, which is, "No one has the right to beat you, regardless of who they are."

Halsey is a name you're not likely to forget anytime soon. Fresh off the release of her debut album, this 20-year old is making her name known not just through her music, but also through her dynamic personality. This is why she's this month's #WomanCrushWednesday

Ashley Frangipane, better known by her anagrammed stage name Halsey, got her start through her YouTube channel, where she posted videos of herself singing covers. One video, which was a parody of Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" called "The Haylor Song," gained viral success. (This channel, however, no longer contains any videos.) She got discovered when she posted her original song "Ghost" on SoundCloud; this led to her signing on to a record label. Her first EP called Room 93, which contained five songs and four videos, went out in October of 2014 and just last month, her debut concept album Badlands was released, and has since gained commercial success.

Even though her new album did well in the charts--it's the third best opening debut album from a solo artist, following Meghan Trainor's Title and Shawn Mendez' Handwritten--critics' reviews aren't so good. Halsey's genre could be defined as indie pop, and that shows through with the songs on Badlands, but it's not really anything we haven't heard before. Some tracks are comparable to a lot of the alternative-pop music we've been hearing for the past decade, and some of the lyrics fall a little flat. (That one lyric in particular in the bridge of "Colors" really irks me.) Frankly, a lot of the stuff on this record is reminiscent of other similar alternative songstresses like Lana Del Rey and Lorde. It's a good record, but there's nothing really original about it.

However, what Halsey's got going for her, musically speaking, is her voice. This girl has got pipes on her; her range is so wide and amazing for someone of her age. More significantly, what I think is the appeal behind this rising star is her personality, which she isn't afraid to portray in her music and interactions in the media.

It's really difficult to categorize this singer as just another indie pop artist. Halsey's personality is just as dynamic as her choice in hairstyles. She's quick-witted and unfiltered, that much you can gather from her lyrics and interviews and posts on social media. She's very vocal about her background; in her own words she calls herself "tri-bi"--biracial, bisexual, and bipolar. She's also an advocate for intersectional feminism. Reflected in her music also are a lot of personal issues, from failed relationships to metaphorical states of mind.

Despite all her success, she manages to keep her feet on the ground and be grateful to the fans who have helped boost her blossoming career. Above all, she's genuine and true to herself, which is what truly makes her special.

When you’re young, it’s easy to get caught up in your own little world. You have nothing at all to worry about, except probably that you have to eat your vegetables for dinner. As you grow older, your problems start to get bigger. But still, your focus is solely on yourself.

One day, though, you have to grow up, and realize that not everything is about you. There are other people with problems of their own. And it’s possible that they’re not the only ones who experience the same dilemma. It’s possible that a whole group of people is caught up in the same issues. Some people grow up caring about these issues, and some don’t.

I think that’s one of the signs of maturity. Aside from the obvious, growing up means being aware of others’ problems, and being able to empathize with them. It means taking responsibility. It’s our responsibility, as citizens of this country and as members of this society, to at least be aware of what’s going on in it. We have to be aware of the problems that people face, not just the problems that we as individuals face. We have to know what’s going on around us, even though it doesn’t really concern us.

But in this day and age, it’s easier to be apathetic. Especially if you’re in a position of privilege, it’s much better to just not give a crap, because why should you?

Is that the kind of world you’d want to live in, though? A world where people don’t care that other people are suffering and being oppressed? A world where people are just plain assholes to each other?

That just isn’t right. I think that if there’s something that we can do to make the world even slightly better for the people who live in it, then we should do it—even if it’s as simple as giving a crap. We should make it our duty to know and to care. No matter what the issue is—racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, corruption, etc.—we should not be ignorant to them, especially if it happens right in our homes.

If we won’t care, who else will? - Isis EvangelistaIllustration by Frances De Guzman

You've probably heard of this of this phrase before. Heck, you've probably been witness to this on some occasion, like at a Halloween party or a music festival (looking at you, Coachella). But do you really know what it is? Hopefully, this article will help clear up your understanding of what cultural appropriation is

Basically, if it's not from your culture and you use/do it without permission, it's appropriation.

Where do I get this "permission" to take from another culture?

It's not really as explicit as asking every single member of that culture to sign a permission slip to appropriate from them. If you feel inclined to take something that you know is from another culture, it's important to know its significance and history first, especially if it's something sacred. [2]

So I have to research first before I wear/use/do anything?

If it comes from a culture that is not yours, then yes you should research first. Google is your friend.

Why is it wrong or harmful anyway?

Usually, if not always, cultures that are appropriated by "dominant" groups are those that belong to minorities--groups that are oppressed in society. It exploits them and it doesn't give them credit due to them, instead the glory goes to the "dominant" people who have appropriated them. By appropriating their culture, the "dominant" group tends to enforce stereotypes, usually negative ones, of the people whose culture they appropriated. [1] Cultural appropriation is also a by-product of racism.

Who can be guilty of cultural appropriation?

The "dominant" group (i.e. white people) are usually the perpetrators of appropriation.

So if I'm a person of color, I'm exempt from cultural appropriation?

Not at all. If you take from a culture that isn't yours without permission, it's still appropriation. It just so happens that white people are more prone to this because they are considered the "dominant" culture.

Can I appropriate white culture?

Much like reverse racism, there is no such thing as white culture appropriation. Not because there is no such thing as white culture itself, but because white culture is so dominant in society that to partake in it is not appropriation, but assimilation. Sure, minority groups are able to mock or mimic white people and their culture, but it's of no consequence because it does not harm white people in the way the white people's mockery or mimicry of minority culture does. [3] It doesn't work both ways like that. Because the white people are in a position of power, which they attained from years of imperialization, their mockery of minorities is dehumanization; on the other hand, the minorities' mockery of them is merely satire.

What if I just want to appreciate this thing from X culture? Can I appropriate then?

No.

Why not?

Because it's not fair to appreciate this one thing from X culture because it's hip or trendy or "aesthetics." You're taking something from a culture of plenty of people. If you just use this one thing to appreciate an entire culture, it's not appreciation at all. To appreciate a culture is to be respectful of the culture as a whole, including the people who belong to it. Learn about them. Recognize their struggles as a marginalized group. Listen to them when they speak out against their oppression. That's how you appreciate a culture. [4] You still don't get to appropriate the thing you originally wanted to take, but hey, at least you have an appreciation of them, which is what you wanted, right?

Is there ever a time wherein it's okay to take from another culture?

Sure, there is.

When you are invited to participate in X culture by someone of that culture.

If it's a product of X culture being sold, the producer and seller is of the culture and the profit goes to them, not to big corporations that mass produce items that are "inspired" by X culture.

If you go to X country and their culture inspired genuine appreciation in you (not to be confused with going to a country and being an expert of their culture in just 3 days, because that is not cool) so much that you want to share it with other people back home in a respectful manner. [5]

How do I know whether something is cultural appropriation and when is it appropriate to call it out?

Most of the time, it's quite easy to spot someone who culturally appropriates; for example, a white guy doing blackface and speaking in a "blaccent" is definitely racist. But sometimes, it can be tricky. Some aspects of X culture can be found in Y culture. You may encounter someone whom you think is of Y culture but is actually of X culture. [4] Before you go calling someone out, ask them about it first, or if they're a famous person, Google it. Above anything else, be respectful before being ignorant.

How do I avoid being guilty of cultural appropriation?

Easy: don't appropriate. But, if you really want to "pay homage" or "show appreciation" or whatever to X culture, be mindful of the people of that culture first. It wouldn't kill you to use Google, or go to a library to learn more. It wouldn't kill you to talk to a person of that culture to educate you, nor will it kill you to give credit to them if you've taken something specific to their culture. It wouldn't kill you to show support and solidarity for a marginalized culture without being offensive or degrading. [6]

If you really give a damn about a culture and the people who partake in it, you'll do these things to ensure that you're really respecting and honoring their culture and not just appropriating for the heck of it--or worse, to mock or oppress people who are already oppressed. If you don't actually care, well, why'd you read this article in the first place?

- Isis Evangelistaclick on photos for sources

P.S. This article isn't for you to ignore other cultures altogether so you won't appropriate them. We should be recognizing and celebrating our cultural differences, but not in such a way that exploits or degrades other people, especially those whose cultures are already oppressed by years of racism. There are ways to respect and appreciate these differences without being offensive or ignorant.

Several years ago, my family and I went on a trip to Egypt. Now, I was only seven years old that time, so I can only vaguely recall what happened when we were there, but I do remember being really amazed by the rich and spectacular culture and history of the country. Through photos I can call to mind some memories of the trip, like seeing the iconic landmarks, visiting museums and riding a camel.

But the one thing I can remember without the aid of pictures, were of my classmate's reaction when I told them about the trip. We went there during the semestral break so when I got back to school I was eager to tell my fellow first-graders about the whole thing, how cool Egypt was. Their reaction? “Ew you went to Egypt? Isn't it just all desert there?” to which I responded “No, it’s not! They have civilization there!”

So why am I telling you this? Well, the reason is not to brag about seven-year-old me knowing the word ‘civilization’ but to point out the fact that many of us, first-grade or otherwise, only know Egypt at a stereotypical level—as a desert with triangular structures in the middle. Much like the rest of Africa, where Egypt is, and the non-white world, we only see Egypt in the Western perspective. And that sucks because there’s a whole other side to the country (and MANY other countries) that we fail to see, because we've been brainwashed to see it in the way popular Western media wants us to see it.

You may be wondering, “Why the f— should I care?! I’m not even Egyptian!” Well see the thing is, Egypt has contributed so much to the world that reducing it to a stereotype is just plain offensive. And it’s horrendous how badly misrepresented Egypt is in Western media.

For example, white-washing. Most Hollywood movies depicting Egyptian culture and history have casts that are, well, NOT Egyptian. I don't know why these big-shot directors and producers could even think that they can get away with a white person playing an Egyptian just by putting fancy graphic eyeliner on them. Remember: EGYPT IS IN AFRICA. So why are there hardly any Africans, much less actual Egyptians, in these films? (Not to mention many have multiple historical inaccuracies)

Cleopatra (1963)

Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)

Not only is there white-washing in movies, but there are also the instances of cultural appropriation, especially in pop music, which mocked and reduced the Egyptian culture into a mere caricature of it, like a ridiculous and racist costume.

"Walk Like an Egyptian" dance (from the Bangles song of the same name)

Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" music video

These are just a few reasons why to a lot of people think Egypt is stuck in the ancient world with pharaohs and mummies and nothing more to it. Though their history is wonderful and long and important in the formation of human civilization as we know it, it's important to know that they have changed a lot since those times--while still retaining the richness of their heritage. I think we should learn to respect that and actually get to know about it, instead of believing in the wildly inaccurate portrayal shown by the media.

When you speak and the person with whom you’re speaking with doesn’t listen, what do you do? You try to get their attention so they listen to what you’re saying, right?

That’s exactly what Emma Sulkowicz did when her complaint for the mishandling of her sexual-assault case fell on her university’s deaf ears. And she caught their attention in a really massive way.

On the first day of her fall semester at Columbia University, she brought the twin-size mattress from her dorm room in school and carried it around all day. The mattress, where she was raped by a fellow student two years ago, represents not only the actual crime that was committed against her, but also the emotional weight—the burden—of having such abuse happen to her with no consequence for her abuser and of being ignored by authorities. She calls this performance art “Mattress Performance or Carry That Weight,” which she is doing not only for her thesis, but also to call to protest, and attention the injustice that has been done to her—she will not stop carrying it until her rapist no longer attends the same school as her, even if it will take until the day of her graduation.

Ever since she started, she has been garnering a lot of attention. It is quite difficult to ignore someone lugging around a long, heavy mattress all around campus, especially if it’s for a significant and powerful cause. Her protest is being noticed not only by people in the university, but by people all around the world. Her performance art made some buzz on social media, and she even landed the cover of New York magazine, with a feature on her story. Her movement is so powerful, that she has become the symbol of the fight against rape culture.

So what is rape culture? It’s not really just a group of people who promotes rape, but a society that collectively thinks that rape is acceptable. Rape culture consists of “practices that we engage in as a society that excuse or otherwise tolerate sexual violence.”

Rape culture is blaming victims for what happened to them. Rape culture is justifying their rape based on what they were wearing, or how they were acting, prior to their rape. Rape culture is calling victims who report their rape “liars,” that they’re “overreacting,” and that they probably deserved what happened to them.

Rape culture is letting rapists run free, with no consequences whatsoever. Rape culture is only 3% of rapists serving a day in jail.

Rape culture is joking and making light of a violent crime. Rape culture is t-shirts and other merchandise with slogans that make rape a joke. Rape culture is having media, songs, shows, movies, that objectify women, that sexualise them. Rape culture is making men in charge of women’s sexuality instead of having women themselves be in control of their own bodies. Rape culture is saying that men who are raped shouldn't complain, that they should enjoy it. Rape culture is refusing to acknowledge that anyone can get raped regardless of gender.

Rape culture is the fetishization of minorities: of people of color, of trans people, of non-binary people, of genderfluid people, of non-monosexual people. Rape culture is refusing to kink-shame sexually immoral and illegal acts like pedophilia.

Rape culture is pornography that is easily accessible, pornography that always depicts sexual violence and dominance towards women. Rape culture is sex workers who are dehumanized constantly. Rape culture is saying that rape is just “kinky” sex, when it is in fact an act of violence. Rape culture is teaching how not to get raped instead of not to rape.

The list goes on and on, and rape culture will not end unless we, as a society, make active steps to fight towards it, even in simple ways. We may not all be like Emma Sulkowicz who is strong and brave enough to carry the symbol of her oppression, but we can help her carry the weight so that victims of rape culture won’t have to suffer anymore.

Whenever the Middle East is brought up, what comes to mind? What is your perspective on the people who live there? Western media and culture heavily influence the rest of the world’s perspective on this region of our planet; heck, even the term “Middle East” is Euro-centric (the more accurate, Asian-centric name would be “Western Asia”). So because of this, we tend to have a lot of stereotypes—usually negative ones—about the Middle East and the people who live there.

One of the most prevalent stereotypes is that Middle Eastern = Arab = Muslim = terrorist. Yes, Arab is the most predominant ethnic group, but there are also plenty others, including Persians, Turks, and many more. Same goes for Islam—it is the predominant religion, but there are many others, including Judaism and Christianity (which were, if you’ll recall from your world history class, both established in this area of the world). Also, Arab and Muslim are not necessarily the same, as there are Arabs who are not Muslim and Muslims who are not Arab. The Middle East is actually really diverse with their many cultures and religions, that just doesn’t get represented in the media very often, if at all. As for the terrorist/bomber/criminal/violent/etc. stereotype, which I believe was further propagated after the 9/11 attack, that is definitely not true, thinking that is way outdated and if you do think that I suggest you get some perspective. You’ll find that terrorists can come from any part of the world. (Just saying.)

Another common stereotype is that the Middle East is all desert; again, false. Having traveled to the Middle East a couple of times in the past, I can assure you that you can see more than just sand, oil, and camels. Though the climate is more on the warm side (it reaches over 40 degrees Celsius in the summer!), there’s plenty more to see other than the desert. Aside from the existence of fertile forests and mountain ranges, the architecture of buildings in the cities there are amazing. Even all the roads and highways look very well planned out and paved, you wouldn’t even think you were in a desert.

But the one thing that irks me the most about the Western view on the Middle East is their perception of women. In Western media, Middle Eastern women are almost always represented as either belly dancers or concubines part of a harem. These women, oftentimes the women who wear veils or hijab, are viewed as oppressed by their religion. To those people who think that, let me ask you this: aren’t a lot of women from various parts of the world also oppressed? And aren’t these women battling their oppression, to claim the rights they rightfully deserve?

Just as women in all parts of the world are fighting oppression in its many forms, so do the women in the Middle East. There are feminists in the Middle East: women who are fighting for their rights, much like feminists in other parts of the world. It’s just a lot harder for them in the Middle East, because as mentioned earlier, Islam is the predominant religion in this part of the world, and for the longest time, Islam has been interpreted and promulgated as a male-dominant religion. So, in response to this, Islamic feminism was born.

Islamic feminism is vastly different from Western, secular feminism because it is more radical, and basing its ideologies and arguments on the Qur’an. In the present, Islamic feminists fight against the Muslim Personal Law (MPL) which includes laws on polygyny (polygamy in Islam), divorce, marital property, etc. They also debate on the laws regarding dress code, whether or not the veil (hijab/burqa) should be banned, required, or optional. Additionally, they call for equality in the Mosque, and in leading prayers. This brand of feminism extends beyond the Middle East, as there are Muslims in other parts of the world as well — in Pakistan, Indonesia, and many others. Islamic feminists are seen protesting for the rights in the streets, making discourse about Islamic beliefs, and in some cases, even leading countries. Little by little, they are gaining power, not to dominate their male counterparts—which is the common misconception about feminism—but to be equal to them.

Despite this, feminists in the Middle East are far from achieving full gender equality, much like the rest of the world. Probably because sexism and misogyny is so deeply entwined in our culture, not just in any specific religion, but in society, in our day to day life. We are all still fighting, no matter what religion or race, to be equal with each other. So if you are reading this, and have realized how truly messed up our world is, try to do something about it. Whether you have any negative racial stereotypes, or see sexism in your daily life, fight against it. It may not do much right now, but it may, in the long run. It’s time for us to be on our own side, right?

Before, we talked about PETA and how they advocate their beliefs in horrible ways. This time around, we’re going to talk about another interesting - for lack of a better word - campaign upholding animal rights.

About two years ago, Lush cosmetics started a campaign that encouraged its customers to sign a petition to stop animal testing in the cosmetics industry. To promote their cause, they hired Jacqueline Traide, a 24-year-old performance artist, to be subjected to the same kind of experiments animals go through in their Regent Street store for the whole of London to see.

Below is a video documenting the ordeal (the video is very graphic, so if you’re a bit queasy or feel triggered by torture, I suggest you skip it):

For 10 whole hours, Traide was restrained, force-fed, shaved, injected with all sorts of chemicals, and much more. Passersby looked shocked and were driven by the show to sign the petition, which was the intent of the whole protest. Lush wanted the world to know that what was done to Traide was being done to thousands of animals every single day.

However, was it really necessary to go to such lengths, to physically torture this woman in front of people, to fight for animal rights?

To be honest, when I first read about this campaign, I was flabbergasted, and disgusted, to say the least. I understand that they really intended to shock people and provoke people to take action, but to dehumanize and humiliate a woman was just too much. To me, it didn’t seem like a protest for animal cruelty; however provocative and inspiring as it may be, it seemed more like an act of violence against a human being, specifically against women. I'm pretty sure there are many other ways to fight for a cause that wouldn't intentionally cause harm on a person and wouldn't be triggering for people who might have been victims of abuse in the past.

In her defense, however, Traide herself made a statement about the situation:

"It was in trepidation that I took on board this performance but not without respect or understanding of its potential, diverse and far reaching affect.

"I am not only a performance artist but also a teacher, a woman, a friend, a consumer, a feminist, a victim of sexual abuse, a student and most of all a fellow human being. A human who seeks to work for freedom through all of my identities.

"It was somewhere after the fourth hour of this live act that I found my self asking the question ‘why exactly am i here?’. I realised then that it was not to lush, nor to the onlookers but to the beings, animals and humans alike, that endure such suffering without choice.

"I am very aware of the consequences arising out of such a performance and feel it is of great important to stimulate and bring new perspectives and awareness on all levels.I hope that the emotions and opinions the performance has provoked in people will inspire people to channel these energies into going out and fighting for all these injustices in the world through art, live action, performance, theatre, dance and music as well as an expression through debate – for if not through diverse mediums and the coming together through our many identities and creativity will these things can be changed?"

So, what do you think? Were you moved by her performance or were you just as disgusted as I was?

Nudism, or to be more accurate, naturism, is a movement that promotes social nudity both publicly and privately. It advocates being in touch with one’s own body and with nature. The International Naturist Federation defines it as: “a lifestyle in harmony with nature, expressed through social nudity, and characterised by self-respect of people with different opinions and of the environment.” There two main types of naturism, and these are:

1. Private nudity, which is done either alone or with family members; and

2. Social nudism, which refers to nudity in the company of other people. This can be practiced in a number of places: in naturist facilities, where it is either optional or required to be completely naked; nude beaches, where anyone, even those who do not practice nudism, can be fully nude (of course while respecting those who are nudists); nude recreation, which is participating in sports events in the nude; festival naturism; and naturism in the wild.

However, this practice is considered taboo by many, which is why there are a lot of misunderstandings surrounding it. One of the most common misconceptions is that nudists or naturists are sexual deviants, perverts, exhibitionists, voyeurs, and the like; while there are some who think that they are asexual. Both of these are untrue, because while nudists do in fact have sex, it is not their ultimate purpose for being naked. Naturists are not as easily aroused as people might think they are. They are just more open compared to non-nudists, and are more comfortable being in their own skin and seeing other people naked. In fact, exhibitionist or voyeuristic activities are strictly prohibited anywhere nudism is practiced.

But because nudism is often (wrongly) equated to sexual deviancy, people think that it is illegal. While it is true that there are a lot of places wherein nudity is a public offence, there are still some places (like the naturist facilities mentioned earlier) where nudists can freely practice their lifestyle.

Another myth about nudists is that they are always naked, which is false; though they are naked as often as possible, they do in fact wear clothes when the situation demands it - for example, due to cold weather. It is also untrue that nudism is only for adults, because most nudists with children also encourage their children to participate in nudism. Also, contrary to popular belief, nudists do have a sense of privacy like any other person.

The most absurd misconception about nudism is the idea that it is a new and alien practice, because it definitely is not. Nude is our natural state of being - we were all born naked - and clothes used to just be ways to keep warm. But in this day and age, clothing is practically required, which is why being without clothes comes with stigma. It is probably only recently that nudism is starting to be more accepted, what with the growth of many nudist communities.

Thinking of becoming a nudist/naturist? No worries! There are plenty advantages to being a nudist, and it is also super easy to become one. Here are some tips to living a naturist lifestyle:

Understand what naturism is. It is not just about being naked, it is being comfortable in the skin you were born in, and being in touch with nature. Nudity is our natural state of being, and by being in this state, one will feel closer to nature. It is also not inherently sexual, although having sexual feelings while being naked is perfectly normal and natural.

Practice on your own first. You don't have to be naked in public right away, but you can build up to it. Start at home, where you feel comfortable. Sleep naked, do you chores naked, etc. This will help you become more familiar with being naked. Be conscious, however, of neighbors who might not be comfortable with nakedness.

Talk to your family and friends about it. They might not be comfortable with nudism, so it is important that you're sensitive to their feelings. Or, if they are, encourage them to join you. If you have a partner, encourage them to join you to make your relationship more intimate, not just sexually, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

Join a nudist community. Research online for communities near you, and join them once you feel comfortable. Don't worry about your physical insecurities because most communities don't mind; in fact, they welcome all types of people, so don't be scared! Just know what the rules and guidelines of the community are and make sure that you agree with them.

Visit a nudist beach or resort. Not only will you be able to practice nudism safely in these places, but you'll also be able to meet fellow nudists. Maybe you can even bring your friends along for a holiday!

Be comfortable, but at the same time, know your boundaries. Even though you're comfortable and confident enough to be naked, many people aren't. As mentioned earlier, nudism is still pretty taboo in many places, which is why you have to understand that not everyone welcomes nudists. That doesn't mean you have to stop being nudist, just practice it in such a way that you're not upsetting other people.

This month, we’re deviating from our regular routine of picking out a girl for the month, instead picking out a famous fictional character. Since our theme for this April is all about holidays, we thought to write about one of the most iconic characters from the cult classic holiday movie, Home Alone: Kevin McCallister! Home Alone, as you probably know, is one of the most popular Christmas movies ever. Say “Christmas movie” and the film that would spring to mind is Home Alone. Which is why, this month on Reinvent, we picked its protagonist, Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin in the film) to be our ambassador for this month’s theme.

So, why is Kevin a great symbol for the holidays? Because his character in Home Alone exemplifies what every kid thinks of: being on your own, without parental supervision, and just having a good time. Christmas is the season of receiving what you ask for, and in the movie, Kevin certainly got what he asked for — freedom from his rambunctious family, and spending the holidays on his own. It was good, for a while. He was able to eat all the food, watch all the TV, and even sneak into his brother’s off-limits room. Basically, he became an adult, and he revelled in every moment of it. However, when a pair of devious thieves decide to rob his ginormous house, and he had to face the real struggles of adults, he had to find a way to get by, and get by he did. He set up clever booby traps all around the house for the robbers, and he found guidance in an old man (whom he previously thought was an evil murderer) whose family seemed to have forgotten him, as well.

Towards the end of the movie, Kevin (and the old man) realized the true meaning of Christmas — spending the season with the people you love, despite all the problems you might have with them. And truly, this message resonates with anyone who has seen this movie, which is why it’s a timeless classic. We could all learn a thing or two from the clever Kevin, and that is, we should be careful what we wish for, and that getting what we want won’t permanently make us happy. What matters is, to be surrounded with people you love, Christmas or not.